Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services, Inc. (LMCLS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin [LMT], has introduced what it calls the industry’s first–and only–100 percent space launch vehicle “refund or reflight” program, to protect customers in the event of a total launch vehicle malfunction, according to a company statement.
The program also provides partial refunds for partial malfunctions and applies to all future LMCLS non-U.S. government contracts.
“Our customers expect superior service and can’t afford anything less than 100 percent mission success,” said Robert Cleave, president and chairman of the board at LMCLS. “Our Atlas launch vehicle has an unparalleled track record of reliability and performance. With the addition of this program, we’re offering customers complete peace of mind.”
LMCLS said acquiring space launch insurance can be costly and time consuming for customers. The refund or reflight program will be a standard component in all future LMCLS launch service contracts, meaning customers will not need to negotiate and acquire space insurance for the Atlas launch vehicle on their own. The program is subject to certain terms, conditions and exclusions.
LMCLS is the exclusive provider of all non-U.S. government Atlas launch services. LMCLS also offers Athena launch services for small satellites and multi-payload RideShare missions.